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Palestinian Islamic Jihad Worried By Possible US-Iran Entente

Islamic Jihad is quietly concerned that improved US-Iran relations might result in Tehran rethinking its approach to the Palestinian cause.
Islamic Jihad militants ride on a pickup truck as they follow the convoy of freed Palestinian prisoner Ibrahim Baroud, upon his arrival in the northern Gaza Strip April 8, 2013. Baroud, who was convicted of his affiliation with the armed group of Islamic Jihad and for carrying out armed attacks against Israel, was released on Monday after serving 27 years in an Israeli jail, according to media reports.  REUTERS/Mohammed Salem (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS) - RTXYD6V

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — As signs of an entente between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran increased, talks abound about the possibility of both sides agreeing to concessions meant to lead to an actual reconciliation. Such a reconciliation could ultimately affect Iran’s stance vis-à-vis the Palestinian cause and the support that it gives to some Palestinian factions, both financially and militarily.

Islamic Jihad, which is has the closest relations out of the Palestinian factions to Iran and is the recipient of generous financial and military backing from the latter, expressed cautious concern toward the prevalent signs of a rapprochement between Iran and the United States. Furthermore, it was leery that its relationship with Tehran might be affected and the support it receives curtailed, which would negatively affect its performance on the ground.

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